Giants players (from left) Jon Blum, Lance Bouma and Craig Schira are ready for the Teddy Bear Toss tomorrow night when they play the Saskatoon Blades at Pacific Coliseum.
Photograph by : Jon Murray, The ProvinceIf you want to know what it means to be under the gun to score a goal, head over to the Pacific Coliseum tomorrow around dinnertime.

After the hometown Giants light up the red bulb behind the net of the Saskatoon Blades keeper, the estimated 10,000 in attendance will be allowed to unleash their sally of furry animals on to the ice in the eighth annual Teddy Bear Toss.

Proceeds of the toss, a perennial favourite for fans, players and Giants staff, will be handed over to The Province's Empty Stocking Fund and the CKNW Orphans Fund.

In past years, the toss has raised an estimated $2,500 for the

Empty Stocking Fund, now in its 90th year. The fund supports 27 area Christmas bureaus, community service centres and Salvation Army offices.

Dave Sheldon, the director of media and broadcast with the Giants, said the annual event is a fun way to raise awareness for those less fortunate at a critical time of year.

Stuffed creatures will be on sale at the Coliseum before the game for $5 for those who didn't have time to pick up their own on the way to the arena.

"It is a very cool thing," he said of the toss. "It is a nice, pleasurable diversion to raise awareness for those less fortunate. The guys love that stuff."

After the ice is covered with the stuffed bruins, volunteers from the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau will join Giants players in collecting the toys. The animals will then be shipped off to the Lower Mainland bureau for distribution to families in need.

Jon Blum, captain of the Giants, said it is quite the spectacle to watch the sky fill with furry bears after the first goal is scored.

"It is pretty sweet to see all the animals on the ice," he said. "Even if it's just a teddy bear, it is good to give back to the community. It always puts a smile on your face."